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October 7, 2001 — At 2 p.m. EDT, the center of Hurricane Iris was located near latitude 17.5 north, longitude 78.9 west or about 205 miles southeast of Grand Cayman. Iris is moving toward the west near 19 mph, and this motion is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. On this path Iris will be heading toward the Yucatan peninsula, according to NOAA's National Hurricane Center. (Click NOAA satellite image for larger view of Hurricane Iris and Tropical Storm Jerry taken Oct. 7, 2001 at 2:15 p.m. EDT. Click here to see latest satellite image.)

Maximum sustained winds remain near 85 mph in a small area just north of the center with higher gusts. NOAA satellite images suggest that Iris may be strengthening, and a NOAA plane will check the intensity Sunday afternoon.

Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles. Estimated minimum central pressure is 989 mb, 29.21 inches.

Coastal storm surge flooding of 4 to 5 feet above normal tide levels along with dangerous battering waves is expected to affect Jamaica Sunday. Rainfall totals of 3 to 5 inches with higher amounts over mountainous areas are expected over Jamaica. These rains could cause flash floods and mud slides.

A hurricane warning remains in effect for Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. A hurricane watch is in effect for the east coast of Yucatan from Cabo Catoche southward. The government of Belize issued a hurricane watch for Belize from Belize City northward.

JERRY APPROACHING THE WINDWARD ISLANDS

At 2 p.m. EDT, the center of Tropical Storm Jerry was located near latitude 12.0 north, longitude 59.0 west or about 80 miles south-southeast of Barbados. This is also about 110 miles east-northeast of Tobago. Jerry is moving toward the west near 20 mph, and this motion is expected to continue for the next 24 hours. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Some strengthening is forecast during the next 24 hours.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center. Estimated minimum central pressure is 1003 mb, 29.62 inches. Rainfall amounts of 3 to 5 inches are possible as the system passes over the islands.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Barbados. At the request of the respective governments, the tropical storm watches for St. Vincent, the Grenadine Islands, Grenada and dependencies are upgraded to tropical storm warnings. A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Tobago.

For storm information for specific areas of the USA, please monitor products issued by NOAA's National Weather Service local forecast offices.

Storm Advisories updated 5 a.m., 11 a.m., 5 p.m., and 11 p.m. EDT; every three hours if a Watch/Warning is in effect.

NOAA satellite images updated 15 minutes past the hour; Atlantic Coast and Gulf of Mexico and close-ups also updated at 45 past the hour.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Click NOAA tracking map for larger view.

Relevant Web Sites
NOAA's National Hurricane Center — Get the latest advisories here

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

NOAA Satellite Images — The latest satellite views

Colorized Satellite Images

NOAA 3-D Satellite Images

NOAA's Hurricanes Page

NOAA's Storm Watch — Get the latest severe weather information across the USA

Media Contact:
Frank Lepore, NOAA's National Hurricane Center, (305) 229-4404